R.E. News

Committing to gathering regularly, if not daily, for a shared meal is a great way to strengthen your family. 

Some families might say a traditional prayer or have different rituals in their house. 

We could see shared mealtimes as an opportunity not to just connect with our own family but to be unified with our larger family, religions and cultures, whose members have uttered the same or similar phrases for years upon years. Said thoughtfully, it resonates. Even on those days when we zip to the finish, it makes a point —  For Christian people that is: God is with us, and we thank him.

But if you find prayer becoming 'habit over heart', there are ways to be more mindful at mealtime. Here are a few different approaches to spicing up the prayer portion of your family meals.

• Have family members take turns leading the prayer or reflection each day. You might start with a poem, a prayer or a praise to God—whatever the leader chooses.
• Sing the traditional prayer—let your child improvise the melody.
• Institute a moment of silence. 
• Ask each member to say one thing he or she is grateful for that day.
• Expand on the previous exercise by having each person at the table quickly answer these questions: What are you grateful for? What do you want to ask God for? What are you sorry for today? Whom did you help?
• Read a poem or Scripture passage that gives thanks to God. 
• Perhaps you can even find positive lyrics in a song from pop culture to engage your children

Kind Regards, 

Ru Lameijn (Religious Education Leader)